Emerald City Swagger: PAC-12 Football Power Rankings week of 10/16
By Ed Stein
Counting down 8 to 4
8) Arizona (3-4, 2-2) – Last week: Arizona went to Salt Lake City and got steamrolled by the Utes, 42-10. The Wildcats couldn’t get any type of run game going, netting only 72 yards. They also used three quarterbacks. So much for consistency. This week: at UCLA. Note: Before last week, this game probably looked much easier to the Cats.
7) Stanford (4-2, 2-2) – Last week: Idle. This week: at Arizona State. Note: Not that they were out of it, but Stanford’s path to the PAC-12 North title got a little clearer. Win out and they’re on top.
6) Utah (4-2, 2-1) – Last week: Utah re-established their home field dominance by beating Arizona 42-10. Quarterback Tyler Huntley defined what it means to be a multi-purpose threat. The junior completed 14 of 19 for 201 yards and two touchdowns. He converted 11 rushing attempts into 64 yards and a score. Not to be overlooked, Huntley also scored on a 58-yard pass from Britain Covey This week: vs USC. Note: It should be a good game this week in SLC. Can the Tyler Huntley show, make another appearance?
5) Colorado (5-1, 2-1) – Last week: Colorado finally lost a game this season and it was a big one. With first place in the PAC-12 South on the line, the Buffaloes pulled up lame 31-20 at USC. This week: at Washington. The Buffs are headed into a hornet’s nest on Saturday as they head to Seattle and a matchup with some very irate Huskies.
4) USC (4-2, 3-1) – Last week: The Men of Troy proved that their win over Washington State was no fluke. Southern Cal defeated Colorado 31-20. USC’s rushing game was shut down by the Buffs, but quarterback J.T. Daniels was not.
The freshman signal caller threw for 283 yards. Michael Pittman Jr. caught six passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns. Tyler Vaughns also caught a TD pass, it was one of his five receptions for 86 yards.